COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- On Saturday night, the Hardrockers finished their road trip to Colorado with a matchup against UCCS. For much of the game, South Dakota Mines held a lead including double-digits in the first half, but were unable to hold on as UCCS escaped with a narrow victory.
How it Happened – The first quarter started slow offensively, with UCCS leading 5-2 at the media timeout. The offense would pick up for the Hardrockers, getting three straight three-pointers from
Madelyn Heiser,
Naomi Hidalgo, and Heiser again, giving the 'Rockers a 13-11 lead going into the quarter break.
Early in the second half, Heiser would stay hot, hitting another three, giving her 13 of 20 Hardrocker points and a six-point lead. Later,
Megan Alexander kicked out of a double team to
Lauren Herman who would find Heiser for her fourth three, giving the 'Rockers a double-digit lead, 26-16. They would maintain that lead going into the locker rooms for halftime, leading 30-20.
Early in the third, the Hardrockers would continue to play well, going into the media timeout with a 35-22 lead. After the media timeout, UCCS would get their offense going and come back, cutting the deficit to 37-34 going into the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth, an Emily Hovasse three gave the Mountain Lions a 42-39 lead.
Naomi Hidalgo would end the over four-minute scoring drought for the 'Rockers, but going into the final media timeout, UCCS still held a three-point lead. The two teams would go back and forth, with the Hardrockers having possession, down 1 with under 10 seconds to play, but they would turn it over. The Hardrockers were unable to foul on the other end, falling 53-52.
Notes – Madelyn Heiser led the team, scoring 23 points…
Naomi Hidalgo joined her in double figures, adding 11…
Sydnee Durtsche led in rebounding and assists with 10 and 3.
Up Next – The Hardrockers head back home for the final two home games of the season on Friday and Saturday night, taking on Adams State and Fort Lewis.
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.
